In this letter, Tolkien discussed the illustrations for The Hobbit and Mr Bliss. In the latter case Allen & Unwin had requested that the lavish illustrations be simplified for production. Tolkien expressed surprise that the book and its illustrations are "worth so much trouble" but endeavoured to fit the work in around his research. As it transpired he never found the time, and Mr Bliss was only published posthumously in 1982 with the original pictures.[1] The illustrations for The Hobbit sent in Letter 9 on the other hand had been accepted, and Tolkien instructed the publisher on where they should be placed.